Proposal: “Diplomacy of Harvested Peace”– Toward a New Security Framework, Learning from the ‘Reiwa Rice Crisis’
Has the so-called Reiwa Rice Crisis truly come to an end?
It is true that the emergency release of government stockpiled rice has somewhat alleviated the extreme shortage. Yet, in a nearby supermarket, a notice still reads, “Restocking of reserve rice is currently undetermined,” and shelves remain stacked with expensive brand-name rice priced over 4,000 yen for 5 kilograms, alongside American-imported rice.
In my article “Kasei Senryu: Reserve Rice,” I pointed out:
“Affordable rice should be realized not through a desperate dumping of stockpiled rice, but through sustainable agricultural policies and strong price control measures.”
This rice crisis vividly reveals how fragile Japan’s food security truly is.
Moreover, I believe this is not merely a domestic supply-and-demand issue—it underscores the reality that global food and agriculture are deeply interconnected.
The world today faces a fourfold crisis: food insecurity, climate change, war, and widening inequality.
In Gaza, mothers and children roam the rubble in search of meager food aid, only to be targeted by Israeli soldiers. This horrifying reality, I believe, is a tragic symbol of that fourfold crisis.
Now is the time for the world to turn from weapons to agriculture and food as tools for peace.
Thus, I propose a new form of security: a “Diplomacy of Harvested Peace.”
This approach aims to build mutual trust and cooperation between nations not through military alliances, but through the shared stewardship of agriculture, food, water, seeds, and ecosystems, thereby achieving lasting peace.
This vision draws upon Japan’s longstanding achievements in agricultural technology, disaster resilience, and regional cooperation, and seeks to connect with the international community through agriculture.
Japan possesses a rice farming system in harmony with the environment, has developed biodiversity-friendly farming methods (Note 1), and maintains a rice reserve system while advancing toward smart agriculture using cutting-edge technology (Note 2).
This “Diplomacy of Harvested Peace” is a form of international contribution for peace that only Japan—proud of its advanced agricultural practices and pacifist constitution—can offer.
To bring this vision into reality, I propose the following five specific measures:
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1. Establish an Asian Agricultural Security Network
Japan, ASEAN countries, South Korea, China, and other neighboring nations would enter into mutual cooperation agreements for food stockpiling and emergency support.
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2. Joint Development and Conservation of Water, Irrigation, and Seeds, and Technological Cooperation
Promote joint development and conservation of critical resources such as water, irrigation systems, and climate-resilient seeds, all vital for sustainable agriculture under climate change. Encourage mutual technical cooperation.
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3. Strengthen Cooperation with the United Nations
Enhance collaboration with FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and WFP (World Food Programme), utilizing Japan’s rice reserves and agricultural assets in global food aid.
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4. Promote International Exchange through Agriculture at the Local and Citizen Levels
Beyond intergovernmental efforts, promote international exchange involving local governments and civil society, particularly in the areas of food and agriculture.
For instance, municipalities could form “Harvested Peace Youth Cooperation Corps” using their local specialties and agricultural technologies, and dispatch them to sister cities or rural communities abroad to foster technical support and people-to-people exchange.
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5. Share the Vision of Agriculture as a Global Public Good
Agriculture is not just about food supply—it also plays a vital role in preserving the global environment and addressing climate change through ecologically harmonious practices.
Moreover, agriculture supports diverse cultures through food traditions, making it a foundation for both natural and cultural diversity—a true global public good.
Sharing this vision globally can offer a path toward non-military security and help overcome the fourfold crisis of food, climate, war, and inequality.
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Conclusion
This “Diplomacy of Harvested Peace” envisions transforming agriculture into a sustainable bridge that connects the Earth and life. It offers Japan a new path to contribute to peace on the global stage.
What the world needs now is not military threats, but a shared journey toward “peace supported by food.”
I sincerely hope that, together with all who resonate with this vision, we can expand a circle of solidarity through agriculture from Japan to the world.
Thank you very much.
★This proposal was composed with the assistance of generative AI, based on my personal reflections.
(Note 1)
Biodiversity-friendly agriculture refers to farming practices that conserve the diversity of species, maintain ecosystems, and sustainably produce food while minimizing environmental impact.
(Note 2)
Smart agriculture involves the use of AI, IoT, robotics, and other advanced technologies to optimize agricultural productivity and resource efficiency.
Here is the Japanese version.
